When Love is a Question Mark-Chapter 64: Start of meeting

The meeting started smoothly enough, with Marcos leading the conversation and walking them through the logistics of the partnership.

"We’ll need to finalize the shooting schedule, as well as the shipping routes for the cargo ships. We propose to start filming in three months," Marcos said, looking around the table. "Lily Oceanic has offered their fleet for our use, which is a significant asset."

Victoria nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That’s a tight timeline. Do you have the necessary permits in place?"

"We’re in the process of securing those," Marcos replied, "but we’ll need your assistance with the coast guard regulations."

Victoria leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "We can provide support, but we expect a commitment to keep our ships undamaged. They’re vital to our operations, and any disruption could cost us."

"Absolutely," Zinnia interjected, feeling the weight of the conversation. "We’ll ensure that the filming process runs smoothly and that our crew is fully briefed on how to treat your vessels."

Victoria’s eyes narrowed slightly. "How will you guarantee that? This isn’t just a film; it’s an investment on our part."

Zinnia took a deep breath. "I can assure you that we’ll have a dedicated team on-site to manage the filming and maintain communication with your crew. We want this to be a successful collaboration, just as much as you do."

Victoria seemed to consider her response. "That’s good to hear. But if we’re going to finalize this partnership, I need to know more about your team’s qualifications. Who will be leading the crew on this project?"

Zinnia glanced at Marcos, who gave her an encouraging nod. "We’ll have a seasoned director, along with a production team that has worked on several successful projects. I can provide you with their portfolios if you’d like."

"I’d appreciate that," Victoria replied, her tone still guarded. "And what about the financial aspects? How do you plan to manage the budget?"

Zinnia felt her palms sweat. "We have a detailed breakdown of the costs, including filming, post-production, and marketing. The budget is tight, but we’re committed to delivering a quality film without compromising on production value."

"Quality is crucial, but we also need to see some return on our investment," Victoria pointed out. "What assurances can you provide that this film will succeed?"

Marcos jumped in. "We’re looking at extensive marketing strategies, including partnerships with well-known actors and social media campaigns."

"We’ve also secured distribution deals that will give the film a global reach," Marcos added confidently. "With the scale and star power attached to this project, we expect significant box office returns."

Victoria glanced between Zinnia and Marcos, her face impassive. "I understand the strategy, but I’d like to dive deeper into the numbers. How are you accounting for the risks? What happens if the film doesn’t perform as expected?"

Zinnia felt a twinge of panic. She knew this question was coming, but it was one of the hardest to answer. She glanced down at the documents in front of her, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.

"We’re well aware of the risks," Zinnia said, her voice steady, though her heart raced. "But we’ve mitigated them as much as possible. We’ve built the budget with contingency plans in place—if we go over on certain costs, we have reserves allocated. We’re also relying on partnerships with established brands to support our marketing efforts. The film’s success won’t rest solely on the box office; we’ll be tapping into merchandise and streaming platforms as well."

Victoria’s gaze remained piercing, as if she were searching for any cracks in Zinnia’s armor. "Streaming platforms are unpredictable, especially when it comes to large-scale productions. How do you plan to navigate that space?"

"We’ve done our research," Zinnia replied quickly. "We’ve analyzed trends in the streaming market, and while it can be volatile, it’s also an essential part of modern film distribution. The key is to create buzz early—through trailers, social media campaigns, and exclusive interviews with the cast. We’re not just creating a movie; we’re building an experience that audiences will want to be part of."

Victoria nodded slowly, her expression hard to read. "I’ll need to see your full marketing plan. I want to ensure that we’re aligning our brand with something that will have lasting appeal. If we’re going to use our ships, we want this film to reflect our values." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Zinnia felt the tension in the room rise. This was the moment that could make or break the deal. "Of course. We can provide all the details of our marketing strategy. And we’d love to collaborate further to ensure that Lily Oceanic’s branding is integrated smoothly into the film."

"Collaborate how?" Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"For instance," Zinnia began, "we could showcase the importance of your company’s eco-friendly shipping practices in the film. With sustainability becoming a larger focus in today’s market, highlighting those aspects could resonate well with the audience. We can include behind-the-scenes content that demonstrates how your company is making a positive impact."

Victoria leaned forward, a slight spark of interest in her eyes. "That’s an intriguing proposition. Eco-friendly practices are a major part of our company’s image. But I’ll need to see how you plan to incorporate that without it feeling forced."

"We’ll send over a few drafts of the screenplay and storyboards for you to review," Marcos interjected, sensing the shift in Victoria’s attitude. "We want this to feel as natural and authentic as possible."

There was a pause, the tension in the room still thick, but now with a different energy. Zinnia could feel that they were on the verge of something—either success or failure.

Victoria tapped her fingers lightly on the table, deep in thought. "This is all very promising. But there’s one more thing I need to address before we proceed."

Zinnia tensed, waiting for the next question.

Victoria’s gaze sharpened as she focused on Zinnia. "I need to know how committed you are to this project. I understand this is your father’s legacy, but I want to hear from you. Why should we trust that you’ll see this through?"